Float.



W. R. UCHTMANN.

FLOAT.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 1, 1912.

Patented Oct. '7, 1913.

m v WWW Wmaz ' desired, Obviously While the :trame here- 111 shown as reef-en potting means for the body, I

materiel, Gysuch cork, iTi fine pieces. It:

UNlllTlED @TAUUES WEET R. UCHTMANN, OF EGSTGN, IVLASSACI-ZIUSETTS, ASSIGNCEL e333 QNEJ'li-illfli OLE DAEI'TL, 0F MASSACHUSETTS.

Specification of Iaetters Patent Be it known, that I, VVEET R. UOHTMANN, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, and a resident of Boston, county of Suffolk, and State of ll essaehusetts, lave invented an lilnprovemen'li in Floats, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specifies. tion, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

My invention relates to apparatus adapted to he used fol: Water sports and also as a life pieselever and aims to provide anovel non-sinkable float. or device capable of supporting oneoi' more persons and of being propelled through the Water if and as desired.

In the drawings forming a pert-of this application have illustrated one embodiment of my invention which has proven satisfactory.

Figure 1 at side elevation of the floatas it appears in the Water; Fig 2 a. plan thereof; Fig. 3 a sideele'vetion, on an enlarged scale, of one of the paddle Wheels, the frame of the float broken for convenience; aged a. vertical section on the line 5-4 of Fig .3 viewed from the left.

The illustrative embodiment of my in- Vention shown and described heifeiro coin prises, see Fig. l, e saving ie iial side members on ears 1, and cross members 2, of which, es Well as the side members, there maybe many as :z'equiied or 7 gal-er, it may 2 desired design and 51:59 and p1 s any suitable buoyant material wood For convenieroe in liendling I have shown the bars 1 as hinged e; and provided with suitable locking members as bolts on the lower feces thereof,

To add to the bueyah'cy and strength of the frame 8.21; provide ceiivenient sup have shown herein a depending sling or seat Y, which is preferably more or less flexible or cushioned so that it may conform to the contour of the body when it is seated or reposing there f on and this sling or seal; may advantageously be made hollow and filled with any buoyant this instance Figs,'12, I have also th frame provided witn an sdditionai su ppoi't 7, also filled with suitable buoyant z aterial, said support in tli'lscsr-i cured to the end cross membei 2, 21 1 essi-- tioned to serve a cushion or pillow the head if and when desired.

For propelling the float sex I* I have provided. paddle whe two in number, each com?" preferably of Wood, 01 minum, hub 10 and paddlo dially between said this iillil I mounted on a shaft 12 iouriis ing 18 secured to a frame meme operating the pmildle Whe ls each provided, Figs, 2-4;, inner end, with a crank Obviously, if preferred shafts, one may be used and the 1" wheels may be op I "venient means. ihe padc" p 1* positioned at any desired DOll'll on the here i, but are preferabiy placed nearer one than the other they thus may lend ad tionai buoyaney to that: end of f and cause it more eil eotanll opeietoifs head above scribed later on, and nee that case the cranks mi ient-ly manipulated be reposing on the sling. e the l'CSlSlZZLH vmovemeilt of the padd the same to the s l movemeiit -i cause eze l have as s paddles pivo tl and ()VQIT-(ll To eli'ect this for each paddli W H3 herein semi-eh.

terial, so mounted herein me heaaig 13, that it the inner Wip s of inuhlles ii. 515 e; swing upw: toward "W the surface and, the pm 11' s them edgewise relative to the 3: travel and retains them in that posiuen il. they are about re dy, on their dtm mard travel, to strike the Water again when they are automatically returned preferably an angular position see Figs. 1

cemeiiient means astlie sprio V to posts 18 in the rim 5) and also to the lorwasd feces of the paddles so that they may 11% by turning strike the water at an angle and ofler lessresistance thereto. As they travel through the water they are turned to their normal positions (Figs. 14) by the pressure of the water thereagainst.

My improved float is adapted for use as an amusement device of novel character.

One manner in which to use my improved float is for the operator to lie face down with his chest resting on the body support 5, permitting his legs to drop down into the water as far as they naturally may, at the lefthand end of the float, Fig. 1. In this position he may comfortably float indefinitely. If he wishes to propel the float, he grasps the handles 15 of the cranks l l and, them forward, he may easily propel the float and himself through the water. He can steer the float in any direction by operating the proper paddle wheel :alone, or by rotating one faster than the other, or by rotating them in opposite directions, as will be readily understood. If

numbers of them may readily be carried by a vessel and they may be conveniently adapted for use in case of an emergency. As an additional safeguard a strap or band 19 may be provided on the frame by means of which one may secure himself to the float to guard against being pushed therefrom in rough water.

Various modifications of my float as described and shown may doubtless be made without departing from they spirit thereof and scope of the claim.

I Claim.

A float comprising in combination, a frame composed of jointed side bars and. end bars connected into substantially rectangular form, the upper faces and the lower faces of said bars being respectively in'the same planes, a transverse seat extending between and attached to said side bars substantially remote from the ends of said bars, a buoyant support extending transversely of the frame at one end thereof, a pair of propelling. wheel's respectively mounted upon the side bars adjacent said seatand having feathering blades, and operatin handles extending into proximity to said seat.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence oftwo subscribin witnesses.

; EET R. UCHTMANN. Witnesses:

EvERm'r S. EMERY,

F. IRENE CHANDLER. 

